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The clerks say in a letter to lawmakers last week that sending ballots by mail to all registered voters “is a clear mandate from the electorate” because about 74 percent cast their votes by mail this election.

Steve Moreno, Weld County clerk and recorder, said 70 percent of Weld County voters are on the permanent mail-in list.

“Our county is right in line with what is seen to be the trend” regarding mail-in ballots, Moreno said.

He said he agrees with the letter, which was sent by the Colorado County Clerks Association’s executive board, as long as there is still a way for traditional voters to vote on Election Day.

Currently, people must choose to be on a permanent mail-in ballot list and in-person voting would still exist even if there’s a change.

Moreno said an extension of early voting could be an option for voters at the polls, if the mail-in option goes through.

He said sending mail-in ballots to all voters would likely cut the costs of hiring staff for election night, technical assistance at poll centers and rent for polling places. In addition, all paper ballots could eventually streamline the tabulation equipment used by all Colorado counties, Moreno said.

Clerks say officials should also consider moving up a current deadline that requires people to register to vote 29 days before the general election. The letter also suggests that lawmakers look at how poll watchers are overseen, and address any needed changes to listing voters as active or inactive.